Boykin stands out, earns Kelly's praise

Wednesday

Cary Williams pedals on the stationary bike, off to the side of a practice field at NovaCare Complex.

Brandon Boykin backpedals into coverage, on the practice field and in the heat of battle.

Williams is a sixth-year veteran, a Super Bowl winner forever and a starter in 33 NFL games.

Boykin is in his second year, wants what Williams has, and is working hard to get it. He’s working hard to, perhaps, take Williams’ job.

Clearly there is a job for Boykin in this year’s Eagles secondary.

The Eagles have had just four practices since the veterans arrived in town last Thursday, so it’s real early to start formulating a depth chart, but, so far, Boykin has been the player who has stood out the most.

Oh, and Williams, too, because all he’s done is pedal on the bike after hurting his hamstring on the very first day of practice. He was signed to a three-year, free-agent deal shortly after helping the Ravens win a Super Bowl and the presumption was that he would be one of the starters in a revamped secondary.

If he doesn’t get on the field soon, well ... who knows what will happen with that starting cornerback job, because, not only has Boykin looked superb, but Bradley Fletcher hasn’t looked too bad, either.

Last year, Boykin played the slot cornerback position, in the nickel defense. He made four starts, but his name wasn’t called much, with just 25 tackles in 16 games played and no interceptions. This year he has been playing both outside and inside.

“He’s got the potential to play both,” said head coach Chip Kelly after Monday’s practice. “I think that’s what we’re ideally looking for. We need to, in our mind, figure out exactly who the corners are.

“Brandon is explosive. I thought he played really, really well (Sunday). I haven’t seen (Monday’s) film, but (Sunday) he did a really nice job in the stadium. He showed up, made a play again. Whether it was in special teams or in the team in seven-on-seven situation. I’m pleased with where he is so far.”

Boykin, who is 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, played primarily on the outside at the University of Georgia then moved inside when the team went to its nickel package.

“I can play both and feel comfortable with both; wherever they need me I’ll be,” he said. “In nickel, you’re more like an outside linebacker, a blitzer, and you have to secure run gaps. You’re more than a corner because there’s so much more field.

“Quicker guys are on the outside, shifty guys, that’s something you have to work on. You have the sideline to help you out and you play off (the receiver). In the slot, you can’t play off. There’s a different skill set to do both.”

As best anyone can tell, Boykin hasn’t surrendered a completion in practice, yet. He’s been locked up on DeSean Jackson a few times, too, but each time made a nice play. Twice, he has gotten his hands on the ball, but failed to come up with an interception. And it cost him 50 push-ups both times.

“Coaches preach that if you get your hands on the ball, you should intercept it,” he said.

There’s a feeling that Boykin’s interception will come, and when he gets his first one, it won’t be his last.

Two more who have impressed:

Bennie Logan. The third-round draft pick from LSU this past April has looked very quick and has lined up at nose and as a defensive tackle. Nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga was signed to a three-year, free-agent deal and will turn 32 in September. Logan could be the heir apparent.

Chris Polk. The second-year running back who didn’t log a single carry a season ago has come into camp lighter and looks quicker than he did last year. He has made some tough runs inside and has broken some tackles for nice gains.

Two who haven’t shown much:

Ifeanyi Momah. At 6-7, he looks like the second coming of all-time Eagles great Harold Carmichael, but the rookie wide receiver, who missed the last two seasons due to injury, has looked somewhat confused at times and hasn’t latched on to many passes, yet. There is still penty of camp left, but, right now, he could be ticketed for the practice squad.

Jordan Poyer. The rookie seventh-round cornerback wasn’t able to attend OTAs or the minicamp and may be behind, but so far he hasn’t done much that has stood out on defense. He has been working at punt returning, though.

Two still waiting to see do more:

Brandon Graham and Trent Cole. These two defenders are linked because they are learning how to play in space, which may be required when the team moves from a 4-3 into a 3-4. That change in defensive alignment will require them to play more as an outside linebacker than a pass-rushing defensive end. Of course, they can always rush the quarterback from a standing, linebacker stance, but they will also be asked to drop into coverage, too. So far, it’s too early to tell how that transition is going.

Follow Us

Advertise

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
Bucks County Courier Times ~ 8400 N. Bristol Pk, Levittown, PA 19057 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service